Geo World

Libyan revolt: Civilians join Gaddafi fighters to defend hometown

SIRTE: Libyan fighters battled street bystreet for control of Muammar's Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte for the third day on Saturday, taking sniper, assault rifle and rocket fire from his loyalists perched on the city's rooftops. Orange flashes of gunfire mixed with dust and black smoke over the sand-coloured buildings of the seaside city as scores of machinegun and rocket launcher-mounted pick-ups trucks snaked through its streets. Ambulances rushed away from the battle bearing wounded fighters west as the pro-Gaddafi men defended their ground. Ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters said it was unclear how many Gaddafi loyalists were in the city but several suggested that some of Sirte's civilian residents had started joining the fight on the ousted leader's side. "There have been heavy clashes since this morning," NTC fighter, Mahmoud Terbelu, said as he stood in the middle of a large roundabout littered with bullet casings. "There has been some resistance from civilians, volunteers. They're above the buildings with Kalashnikovs, anti-aircraft guns, rockets and other weapons," he said. A green and beige building stood at the roundabout scarred by rocket fire in the last two days of fighting. Dozens of pick-up trucks circled the town, fighters standing with rifles ready or drinking juice in the midday heat. NTC soldiers said they had been battling for the city on three fronts -- from the west, the south and the east entrances-- but had been advancing slowly. "There's been fighting by the sea and in the city," said one fighter who did not give his name. "We are gathering and then advancing. We are retaking it step by step."(Reuters)